Name of collection/source Data are compiled from the Labour Force Survey.

Reference period

The survey is conducted as of the last day of each month, however, in December it is done as of the 26th.The reference period to which questions on the employment status refer is one week ending on the last day of each month except December for which it is one week from 20th to 26th.

Population coverage

The universe of the survey is composed of all persons usually residing in this country, except foreign diplomatic and consular corps, their family members and foreign military personnel and their family members.Actual enumeration takes place every month on a sample basis. Persons usually residing in about 40 thousand households selected from about 2900 enumeration districts in 900 thousand Population Census Enumeration Districts. Those 40 thousand households are selected on the basic questionnaire, of which 10 thousand on the special questionnaire.The questions on employment status are asked to the members 15 years old or more (about 100 thousand persons in total) in those household.

Recommended uses and limitationsThe 2011 results for whole Japan excludes three prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima) struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake, where the survey operation was suspended for several months from March 2011. For time-series comparison, the corresponding figures 2010 are also compiled on the basis excluding the three prefectures.

Quality comments

Data refer to persons aged 15 years and over. From 1973 data include the Okinawa prefecture (Ryu-Kyu Islands).The results now (may 2013) include whole Japan (including the three prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima previously excluded following the Great East Japan Earthquake, where the survey operation was suspended for several months from March 2011. The data have been revised from 2005 to 2011.

JAPANEmployed population

JPN.LFEM.......

Key statistical concept

Employed person at work and employed person not at work·Employed person at work: All persons who worked for pay or profit, orworked as unpaid family workers for at least one hour during the reference week·Employed person not at work: Among the persons with jobs but not at work during the reference week (i) Employee who did not work during the reference week but who received or expected to receive wage or salary (ii) Self-employed worker who did not work during the reference week and whose absence from work has not exceeded 30 days Family workers who were not at work during the reference week are classified into unemployed persons or not in labour force

Recommended uses and limitationsThe 2011 results for whole Japan excludes three prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima) struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake, where the survey operation was suspended for several months from March 2011. For time-series comparison, the corresponding figures 2010 are also compiled on the basis excluding the three prefectures.

JAPANUnemployed population

JPN.LFUN.......

Key statistical conceptPersons who satisfy the following conditions:(i) with no job and did no work at all during the reference week (other than employed person);(ii) ready to work if work is available; and(iii) did any job seeking activity or preparing to start business during the reference week (including waiting the outcome of the job seeking activity done in the past).

Recommended uses and limitationsThe 2011 results for whole Japan excludes three prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima) struck by the Great East Japan Earthquake, where the survey operation was suspended for several months from March 2011. For time-series comparison, the corresponding figures 2010 are also compiled on the basis excluding the three prefectures.

JAPANUnemployment - by duration

JPN.LFUT.......

Name of collection/source Collection: Data are compiled from the Labour Force Survey. For unemployment definition look under Unemployment .

JAPANWorking age population

JPN.LFWA.......

Name of collection/source Data are compiled from the Labour Force Survey.

Reference period

The survey is conducted as of the last day of each month, however, in December it is done as of the 26th.The reference period to which questions on the employment status refer is one week ending on the last day of each month except December for which it is one week from 20th to 26th.

Population coverage

The universe of the survey is composed of all persons usually residing in this country, except foreign diplomatic and consular corps, their family members and foreign military personnel and their family members.Actual enumeration takes place every month on a sample basis. Persons usually residing in about 40 thousand households selected from about 2900 enumeration districts in 900 thousand Population Census Enumeration Districts. Those 40 thousand households are selected on the basic questionnaire, of which 10 thousand on the special questionnaire.The questions on employment status are asked to the members 15 years old or more (about 100 thousand persons in total) in those household.

Quality comments

Data refer to persons aged 15 years and over. From 1973 data include the Okinawa prefecture (Ryu-Kyu Islands).The results now (may 2013) include whole Japan (including the three prefectures (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima previously excluded following the Great East Japan Earthquake, where the survey operation was suspended for several months from March 2011. The data have been revised from 2005 to 2011.